Rocaille Fountain Design
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-266-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
François Boucher, a master of the Rococo style created this *Rocaille Fountain Design in 1736, capturing the exuberant spirit of 18th-century French decorative arts. Born in Paris in 1703, Boucher rose to prominence as the favored artist of Madame de Pompadour and King Louis XV, blending playful elegance with intricate ornamentation. Rococo, which flourished in the opulent courts of France, emphasized asymmetry, scrolling motifs, and nature-inspired flourishes—hallmarks of Boucher's whimsical yet refined aesthetic. As a bound print, this work likely served as a pattern sheet for artisans craf...